Method of operation in metallurgical and like processes



Xiikil 6;1926. 1,579,340

F. THARALDSEN METHOD OF OPERATIN IN METALLURGICAL AND LIKE PROCESSES Filed May. 1922 aktozwmg Patented Apr. 6, 1926.

FILIP THARALDSEN, F o'sLo, NORWAY.

METHOD OF OPERATION IN METALLURGICAL AND LIKE PROCESSES.

Application filed May 25, 1922. Serial No. 563,614.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FILIP THARALDSEN,

a citizen of Norway, residing at Oslo, Norway, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Operation in Metallurgical and like Processes (for which I filed an application in Norway, Mar. 8, 1919), of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to a method of operation in metallurgical and like processes and has for its object to make it possible to manipulate the charge in closed furnaces during the process.

In many chemical and metallurgical processes, in which gaseous products are evolved, it is difficult to effect manipulations in the chamber of reaction or compartments connected therewith, while the process is going on, because under such manipulations vapors and gases escape, which may lead to direct losses of valuable constituents of the charge or otherwise have harmful effect for instance to the health of the laborers.

In the production of zinc for example it is almost impossible to carry out any work in the distillation chamber or in the condensator during the process, without suffering great metal losses from escaping zinc vapors.

By the present invention this inconvenience is removed by the provision of sealing means at the aperture or apertures through which the working tools are inserted, said sealing means being of such nature as to permit the passage of the tools therethrough and the convenient working of the tools and to automatically secure a sufficient tightness of the working apertures.

Such automatic sealing may be effected in several ways. For example, elastic media may be arranged round the opening, which by a convenient lateral pressure are made to fit closely to the tools during the motion of the latter. A particularly simple manner of automatic sealing is according to the experience of the applicant realized in using sand of other pulverulent substances as sealing medium. The manner in which this sealing can be carried out is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which o indicates the compartment where the manipulations are to be performed, and b the confining wall. In this wall is provided the opening -c for insertion of the working tool, such as a bar, a rake or the like. Outside the furnace wall is arranged a convenient container -(Z filled with pulverulent material to such a height, that the working aperture -c is covered, and through the front wall e of this container the working tool -g is inserted. The aperture of eserves at the same time as support for the tool. In many cases it is very convenient to have a guide for the tool. This can be attained in arranging a partition in the container, dividing the latter in two separate compartments. In this way a two-fold sealing is obtained. Further it may be of advantage to arrange shelves /L- underneath the container for collecting the sealing material overflowing from the container during the motion of the working tools. w

The invention may be modified in several ways without altering essentials. For example, the container of sealing material may be placed on the inside of the furnace wall or on the outside of the same. Very often it is of considerable advantage to be able to sweep a greater area of the furnace with the working tools. In such case the aperture -c may have the shape of a slit, in which the working tool is freely movable. The whole ofthis slit must then be underneath the level of sealing material in the container.

In place of a container filled up with pulverulent sealing material it may sometimes be sufiicient to simply use a heap of sealing pulverulent material placed on a projection or shelf underneath the working aperture in such way, that the latter is covered.

Having now described my invention I hereby declare, that what I claim is:

1. A furnace wall having an opening through which to introduce a. tool and also having holding means on its outer side including a plurality of walls spaced apart and provided with openings in line with said opening in the furnace wall, and a heap of pulverulent material in said holding means and extending through certain of its wall openings into the opening in the furnace wall and also into contiguous compartments thereof.

2. Device for tight introduction of working tools in metallurgical and like furnaces comprising a container with pulverulent material in proximity of the working opening of the furnace, said container including a partition wall being arranged to serve as support for the working tool.

8. Device for tight introduction of Working tools in metallurgical and like furnaces 5 comprising a container with pulverulent material in front of the Working opening of the furnace, said container including a partition Wall dividing the container into two compartments, said partition wall having: below the level of the pulverulcnt material 1 an aperture which serves to support and guide the Working tool.

FILIP TITARA LD EN. 

